MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Disgruntled workers of the People’s Party Azad Kashmir have announced to convene a grand jirga in Rawalakot on July 5, Black Day, against what they called their own leadership’s anti-worker policies.
Former Chairman PYO Sardar Babrak Khan, while holding a press conference in Muzaffarabad along with Syed Shujaat Kazmi and other loyalists, said that they have made sacrifices for the party.
People’s Party leadership
He said that progress can only be made by following the philosophy of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, but for some time now, he added, an authoritarian attitude has been adopted by the People’s Party Azad Kashmir leadership, and basic workers are being systematically sidelined.
He said that they have fought for rights before and will continue to do so in the future.
He said that they demanded consultation in organization-building, but no consultation was done, rather, they were sidelined.
He said he was removed for supporting the Joint Public Action Committee, adding they are still with the Action Committee for speaking about public rights, and support their charter of demands.
Sardar Babrak said that how can the leadership stop them when they have sworn to protect public rights.
“How can the leadership stop them; the People’s Party should separate from the Anwar government.”
He said that on July 5, Shaheed Bhutto’s government was overthrown, and that day is observed as Black Day.
“On that day, we will convene a grand jirga in Rawalakot, which will be attended by loyalists from all over Azad Kashmir.”
Sardar Babrak said Bilawal Bhutto said that the Kashmir issue would be settled according to the will of Kashmiris.
“In the grand jirga, they will also discuss the Kashmir issue. Their philosophy is of democratic struggle, and they do not consider war a solution to any problem.”
It is worth noting that Sardar Babrak Khan is considered among the ideological loyalists of the PPP, but the Secretary General of the People’s Party, Faisal Rathore, had removed him from the position.
